It has been a rather strange month. Last week, D started acting strange while laying down. He is a napper so it was hard to tell if there was an issue. Eventually it became apparent that there was indeed a problem. Despite our best efforts a vet was not to be had until the next day. Kim and I did our best and he rallied and made it through the night.
As far as we know he had a very minor sand colic, or gas block or ulcer issue or.... we really have no idea but with a lot a care and Kim's expertise D seems to be on the mend.
Almost a week later we cantered over a pole!!! WHAT??
Emotionally it has been a roller coaster, I thought we were to that point where our time was up. D has essentially been living on borrowed time the last three years and for all I knew we were at the end.
But once again my horse teaches me. Despite pain and discomfort he handles any change happily. Rather than turning his nose up when his food was doused in water. D happily slurped up his "soup." His greatest concern when being tubed was not the actual tube going through his nostril but the chain around his muzzle, so I didn't use it.
D is fully blind but has adjusted. He can graze in a yard with very temporary tape blocking him off, but he respects it. He waits patiently for his next small meal (back to normal now).
He adjusts to whatever situation he is in. He waits because he only has enough light for the step he is on. I need to remember this.
He trusts not just because he has no other choice, there is always another choice but because we have never failed him yet. He could be a frantic and a bully, hard to handle but instead he thinks he is a lap dog and would like you to just talk to him and pet his nose.
Once again, life lessons from my horse who is a true example of taking life as it comes and resting in the outcome.
